Pneumatic action



Sept. 18,1923. 1,468,361 A. P. GUSTAFSON PNEUMATIC ACTIQN 2 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Nov. 28, 1919 Sept. 18,1923.

A. P. GUSTAFSON PNEUMATIC ACTION Filed Nov. 28, 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmmm q un imum [L T 2 gm ,5

VIIIIIIIIIIII aa/agwfa wf cure simplicity Patented Sept. 18, 1923.

1,468,361 PATENT OFFICE.

A DOLPH P. GUSTAFSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO M. SCHULZCOMPANY,

' OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PNEUMATIC ACTION.

Application'filed November 28, 1919. Serial No. 341,146.

To allwkom it may concern:

Be it known that I Anonrn P. GUsrArsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the'county ofCook andState of 5 Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pneumatic Actions, ofwhichthe following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a art of thisspecification.

y invention relates to pneumaticactions, particularly such as are usedin pneumatic piano players and player pianos.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a simple, practicaland fl(lVflI1[dgeous construction of pneumatic action oi the kindmentioned.

Another objectof the invention isito seof construction and low cost ofmanufacture.

Another object-of theinvention is to. ob tain compactness ofconstruction so as to reduce the necessary space occupied by the action.

Another object of theinvention is to obtain quickness and accuracy ofoperation, and also to secure a high degree of power.

Another object of the invention is to secure the foregoing and otherdesirable re- 30 sults in asimple and expeditious manner.

In the accompanyingdrawings a plan view of a portion tion embodying mypresent invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are cross sections taken on Fig.1 is

' lines 2-2 and 3--3-, respectively, in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a View similar modified form of device;

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sections taken on lines 7-7 and 88,respectively,in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings and especially to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, Ishow a pneumatic action in which there is a longitudinally extendingmember 1 in the nature of a wind chest which is understood to beconnected with the wind inducing apparatus of theinstrument, as forexample, the bellowsordinarily operated'by the feet. The member 1 shownis preferably a metal-pipe ofmore or less rectangular crosssection, asshown in Fig. 2.

At one side of the member 1, at'intervals toFig. 1 of a of a pneumaticac along the same there are arranged members 2-2, each one of Wl'llCh isprovided with or contains a valve mechanism for a power pneumatic. Belowthese members 22 are situated the power pneumatics 33 which are to becontrolled and operated by means of the valve mechanisms in thestructures 2-2.

The members 22 preferably have their ends abutting against one side ofthe mem-- her 1, as shown in Fig. 2, some suitable material such as alayer of felt 4 being interposed between the ends of said members 2 andsaid member 1. Said members 2 are preferably secured to the member 1 bymeans of a threadedbar or rod 5 passing transversely through said member1 and thumb nuts 6 on the threaded ends of said rods 5.

Pneumatics derneath member 1 and even to one side of the latter. Thesepneumatics 33 areunderstood to be power pneumatics for applying power.to operate example, for operating the stickers of a piano action tocause operation of said action. Each pneumatic has an upper portion 3which is fixed, as for example by being rigidly secured to the underside of the members 1 and 2, and also has a lower portion 7 which ispivoted along one of its longitudinal edges instead of being pivoted atone of its crosswise edges or ends, as has heretofore been done in thisart. Thus said swinging member 7 may swing about said longitudinal edgeas a pivot or hinge, as shown in Fig. 3, it being understood that thereis flexible material 8 extended between the members 3 and 7 to permitsuch operation. As a matter of preferred construction a smalllongitudinally extending member 9 is placed inside of each pneumatic 3and the member 7 thereof hinged to said member 9 so as to somewhatamplify the extent of swinging or pivotal motion on the part of themember 7. Each swinging member 7 is preferably provided with aprojecting member 10 for engaging a projection or abutment on an articleor device to be operated, as for example the sticker of a piano action.

As a valve arrangement for. operating each pneumatic. 3, each member 2is provided with a valve chamber 12 preferably formed in the material ofsaid member 2 3-3 are preferably extended underneath the members 2-2 andalso un-- instrumentalities, as for connection 23 preferably and adaptedto contain an operating valve 13. The chamber 12 is preferably closed toan extent to retain the valve 13 in place by means of the disclikeclosure 14;, preferably made of pastebcard or sin'iilar material andhaving an opening 15 providing a port to be controlled by the valve 13.The valve chamber 12 has a passage or duct 16 opening into its undersidewhich duct or passage is preferably provided by a metal sleeve or tubesection 17, the upper end of which is preferably turned over at 13 toform a raised or projecting part to provide a valve seat for the valve13.

Another chamber 19 is provided in each member 2, being also preferablyformed in the material thereof, and in such chamber 19 there is locateda small or supplemental pneumatic 20. This pneumatic 20 is for thepurpose of controlling the valve and is to such end preferably providedwith a fixed member 21 and swinging member the latter being uppermostand located below the metal sleeve or collar 17. A suitable in the formof a screw extends between the swinging member 22 and the valve 13, inthe arrangement shown said screw 23 being screwed into said upper member22 and having its head fitted into the recess 13 in the valve 13. Thusthe operation of the swinging member 22 will cause the operation of thevalve 13.

The chamber 19 in which the small pneumatic 20 is located is connectedby a passage 2a with the interior of the wind chamber member 1. As apreferred arrangement the metal sleeve or tube 25 is fitted into a boreor hole formed in the material by the member 2 and is also fitted intoan aperture in the side of the member 1. The rod 5 by which the members1 and 2 are secured together is preferably secured to a sleeve 26 fittedin the bore forming the passage 2 1.

The swinging member 22 is provided with a bleed 27 preferably formed bya metallic nipple 23 set in an aperture formed in said member 22. Saidpneumatic 20 is preferably secured to the top of the power pneumatic 3and is controlled through a passage 30 formed in its fixed lower member21, and also in the fixed member 3 of the pneumatic 3. A tracker boardtube 31 extends to the passage 30. bein preferably fitted in an apertureformed in the member 3.

Passages 3-1-3 are also formed in each member 2, extending lengthwise ofthe same from the valve chamber 12 toward the member 1 and throughpassages 3535 extending downwardly from the ends of the passages 3t34ron opposite sides of the passage or duct 24: and communicating with theinterior of the pneumatic 3.

Thus assuming the apparatus to be operated by means of reduced airpressure, a partial vacuum being created in the mem ber 1 by means ofthe wind inducing apparatus, the operation of the device will be asfollows. The small valve controlling neumatic 20 will be normallycollapsed so that the valve 13 will normally open the port 15 and closethe port 16. Air being admitted to a tracker board tube will pass intosuch tube 31 and into the passage 30 and thereby expand the pneumatic20, causing the member 22 thereof to lift the valve 13 and close thepassage 15 and open the passage 16. This establishes communicationoetween the valve chamber 12 and the interior of the power pneumatic 3by means of the ducts or passages 34-35, the result of which is that theair is exhausted from the interior of said pneumatic 3 and the same iscollapsed, thereby actuating the piano act-ion or such other device asis to be operated by said pneumatic 3. Vhen air ceases to be admitted tothe tracker tube 31, the small pneumatic 20 is collapsed through theoperation of the bleed port 27 and the valve 13 is thereupon lowered andcommunication closed between the valve chamber 12 and the interior ofpneumatic 3. and the port 15 opened and air admitted through the sameand into the valve chamber 12, and thence into the pneumatic 3 so as toexpand said pneumatic. Air being again admitted. to the tracker tube 31the pneumatic 20 will be again expanded, the valve 13 again elevated andair again exhausted from pneumatic 3, thereby collapsing said pneumaticand holding the same collapsed until air is shut off from the trackertube 31 when pneumatic 3 will be again expanded.

It will be seen that the action is simple and compact, made with but fewparts. For example each member 2 may be made of a. single piece or blockof wood with the various passages and chambers bored or otherwise formedin it. Furthermore, the structure is very compact, occupying but littlespace. Furthermore, the power pneumatic 3 possesses great power and alsoquickness and sensitiveness of action. because of its being hinged orpivoted along its longitudinal edge. thus presenting a greater area tosuction in proportion to the length of the swinging member therebyobtaining a greater leverage and quickening of the response of theswinging member to suetion.

In the modification shown in Figs. 5 to S, inclusive, the longitudinallyextending windway member 1 is shown, and also members 2-2 attachedthereto, as in the construction described in connection with Figs. 1 to4. inclusive. These members 2-2 are provided with valve chambers 12containing valves 13 and also with small or supplemental. pneumatics 21arranged to operate the valves 13, all as previously described inconnection with the other construction.

Below the members 2 2, however, are located and attached pneumatics 37which are arranged crosswise of the member 1 and underneath and incontact with the same and also with the under side of the members 2-2.The pneumatics 37, however, are arranged to swing about one of theirshort ends, instead of about one of their long ends, as in the case ofthe pneumatics 3. Side ports 34 and 35 afford communication between thevalve chambers 12 and interior of pneumatic 37, so as to control thesame.

Thus the longitudinally opening. type of pneumatic- 37 may be used withthe remainder of the action, as well as the crosswise opening pneumatic3 described in connection with the other apparatus.

It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made withoutdepart ing from the spirit of the invention.

lVhat I claim is:

1. Thecombination of a windway memher, a valve holding structure at theside of the windway member and means for connecting said member andstructure together comprising a tubular member fitted in one wall of thewindway member and also fitted in the adjacent side of the valvecontaining structure, said tubular member also forming a duct betweensaid windway member and the interior of said structure.

2. The combination of a windway mem her, a valve holding structure atthe side of the windway member and means for connecting said member andstructure together comprising a tubular member fitted in one wall of thewindway member and also fitted in the adjacent side of the valvecontaining structure, said tubular member also forming a duct betweensaid windway member and the interior of said structure, and means fordrawing said member and structure together.

3. The combination of a windway memher, a valve holdin structure at theside of the windway member and means for connecting said member andstructure together comprising a tubular member fitted in one wall of thewindway member and also fitted in the adjacent side of the valvecontaining structure, said tubular member also forming a duct betweensaidwindway member and the interior of said structure, and means fordrawing said member and structure together, said means comprising a rodconnected with said tubular member and having a threaded endprovidedwith a threaded nut for adjustment purposes.

4. The combination of a windway member, a valve holding structure at theside of the windway member andmeans for connecting said member andstructure together comprising a tubular member fitted in one wall of thewindway member and also fitted in the adjacent side of the valvecontaining structure, said tubular member also formgether, said meanscomprising a rod connected with said tubular member and having athreaded end provided with a threaded nut for adjustment purposes, saidrod passing through the opposite wall of said windway member and havingits threaded end and the nut thereon outside of said windway mem her.

5. In a pneumatic action the combination of a valve casing or chamber, awindway member in the form of a metallic tube against the side of whichthe end of said valve casing is in contact, and means for detac-hablysecuring said valve casing to said windway member comprising a metalsleeve fitted in said valve casing, and a threaded rod extended throughthe windway member and provided with a thumb nut.

6. In a pneumatic action a power pneumatic having a hinged member hingedalong one of its long sides.

7. In a pneumatic action, a power pneumatic consisting of fixed andswinging members of substantially greater length than width and meansfor hinging said members together along one of their longitudinal edges.

8. In a pneumatic action, a power pneumatic consisting of fixed andswinging mem bers of substantially greater length than width and meansfor hinging said members together along one of their longitudinal edges,said hinging means comprising a longitudinally extendng memberinterposed between the hinged edges of said members so as to permit agreater amplitude of movement on the part of the swinging member.

9. In a pneumatic action, a structure com prising one of the members ofan operating pneumatic, said pneumatic being of substantially greaterlength than width and being hinged upon one of its long sides.

10. In a pneumatic action, a structure comprising one of the members ofan operating pneumatic, said pneumatic being of substantially greaterlength than width and being hinged upon one of its long sides, the longside of said member forming the under side of said pneumatic.

11. In a pneumatic action, a structure comprising one of the members ofan opera ting pneumatic, said pneumatic being of substantially greaterlength than width and being hinged upon one of its long sides, the longside of said member forming the under side of said pneumatic and beinginclined from its hinged ed e.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 14th day ofNovember, A. D.

ADOLPH P. GUSTAFSON.

